MSP warms up with visit to Cube’s Gorget energy centre

An MSP visited Cube Housing Association to learn how tenants in Knightswood are keeping warm while saving money on fuel bills.

Bob Doris MSP, convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s local government and communities committee, visited Cube’s innovative district heating energy centre in Gorget.

He also met tenants who have been benefiting from the low-carbon ‘biomass’ heating system since it was completed last year, with the help of £1.1 million of funding from Glasgow City Council.

The central energy plant, near Gorget Quadrant, delivers on-demand heating and hot water to 96 homes. It was delivered in partnership with British Gas.

Bob Doris MSP said: “I was interested to see how the people of Knightswood are benefitting from environmentally-friendly technology.

“Not only did the visit demonstrate Scotland’s low-carbon innovations in action, but it also gave me the chance to hear from local residents on the very real improvements this has made to their lives.

“Energy efficiency schemes like this are vital to help people manage their bills whilst also cutting carbon emissions.”

Mr Doris meets Cube tenants Sheena Beveridge (centre) and Gwen Dallas

Cube tenant Helen Agnew, who lives in Gorget Avenue, said: “The new heating system has made a huge difference to me.

“We get heating and hot water exactly when we need it without having to worry about sky-high fuel bills, which has been brilliant over the winter.”

Councillor George Redmond, executive member for jobs, business and investment at Glasgow City Council, said: “The council was delighted to provide £1.1million funding for this innovative scheme, which both helps with heating bills and cuts emission. I congratulate everyone involved in this fantastic project.”

The £1.1m funding contribution came from Glasgow City Council’s allocation of the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programme for Scotland: Area Based Schemes (HEEPS:ABS) allowing work to make homes more energy efficient.